courtesy of Band of Horses

We all know that Thanksgiving is a time to hang with your crazy family and chow down on copious amounts of richly caloric foods, but sometimes there are circumstances beyond your control that might keep you from the festivities. If you’re stuck family-less in SF this year, or you’ve returned to the Bay Area to visit your clan and are in need of A+E-related distractions this is the blog for you. Drag your Tryptophan-induced self out on the town and enjoy the holiday—Hot List style!

Tuesday, November 20 – Travis and Maximo Parkat the WarfieldTheater
This formerly ubiquitous Brit-pop group from Glasgow has returned to the States in support of their latest effort The Boy with No Name.
Warfield Theater 982 Market St., 415-775-7722


courtesy of Nina Sazevich

Tuesday, November 20 – Color: A Winter Carnivale
Come to this colorful display of flowers to help cure your holiday blues and boredom at this Flora and Fauna-filled Edwardian-themed carnival.
Conservatory of Flowers JFK Drive, Golden Gate Park; 415-666-7001

Tuesday, November 20 – Cinema Soundscapes: An Evening of Voice, Sound and Cinema
This pleasant collision of sound and cinema features rare filmic oddities paired with live music.
Oddball Films 275 Capp St., 415-558-8117


Dear Pillow; courtesy of Switch Films

Wednesday, November 21 – Dear Pillow
Watch this unusual buddy film and indie classic which involves a 17-year old boy and a middle aged man who writes for a porn mag. Exactly what you need to take your mind off of your own dysfunctional family for a night.
YBCAScreening Room 701 Mission St., 415-978-2787

Thursday, November 22 – 2007 Turkey Beach Trot
This Bay Area Thanksgiving tradition—which involves a 5k run through Golden Gate Park—is a productive way to start off the eat fest that is guaranteed to occur later in the evening. Although the Ocean Beach location has been changed this year due to the oil spill, that doesn’t stop pilgrim-clad runners from engaging in the holiday spirit. 
Polo Fields in Golden Gate Park; run begins at 8:30 a.m.


courtesy of Turkey Beach Trot

Friday, November 23 – Band of Horses at Mezzanine
Band of Horses make melodic indie rock perfect for the post-Turkey Day comedown.
Mezzanine 444 Jessie St., 415-625-8880

Friday, November 23 – Turkey Trot 2007: An Americana Music Feast
Come get your ya yas and dance off that turkey coma out at this post-Thanksgiving evening of bluegrass, alt-country and honkey-tonk featuring Rancho Deluxe, Kemo Sabe and others.
Café Du Nord 2174 Market St., 415-861-5016